Spring-hinge



G. B. CLARK. S'PRING'HINGB.

$10,276,958. PatentedMay 1,1883.

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l of this capstan, which rests on the lug or view of the pivoted latch, and Fig. 5 is a view UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. CLARK, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SPRING-HINGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 276,958, dated May 1, 1883.

application filed Angust27,188l. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

, Be it known that I, CHARLES B. CLARK, a citizenof the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigamhave invented new and useful Improvements in Spring-Hinges, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of hinges in which a spiral spring encircles the pintle of the hinge.

Its object is to provide a hinge in which the tension of the spring can be regulated with ease, and in which it can be enitrely thrown out of action, so that the hinge will operate likean ordinary one when desired.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of my improved hinge. Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the lower collar or. capstamwith which the spring is connected. Fig. 4 is a detached showing a modificationof the latch which engages in the capstan or collar.

The two leaves A B of the hinge have the usual overlapping lugs or knuckles, a 12, provided with eyes through which the ordinary pintle, 0, passes. The coil-spring D is interposed between the upper and lower lugs or knuckles of the leaves, and surrounds the notch, e, in the loose cup shapedcollar E,

pintle. Its upper end, 0, projects :through a which turnson the pintle. The lower end of the spring a rests in and is secured by a notch in the cup-shaped collar or capstan F, which also turns upon the pintle. The lower face knuckle b, is provided with a series of slots, f, in which a latch, G, pivoted 01 secured on one of the leaves, 3, of the hinge, engages.

When theparts of the hinge are assembled the spring is tightened or controlled by revolving the capstan Foutwardly and away from the latch G by inserting a nail in the l i slots f of the spring, against the leaf A. The

latch is then engaged with any one of the slots f, according to the amount of tension on the spring desired, the further the capstan is revolved the greater spring. l v

It will be observed that the outer side of being the tension of the the book of the latch is inclined outwardly at g, as shown in Fig. 4, and that the walls of the slots fin the capstan F are correspondingly inclined, as shown in Fig.3. This forms a kind of dovetail or look joint between the capstan and latch, which prevents the latch from being displaced when the spring is under tension. The latch is so pivoted that when the tension of the spring is removed from its booked and it will fall: out of the slots f by gravity. Thus when it is desired to release the spring andhave the hinge operate like an ordinary one the capstan F is slightly r0 tated, so as to release the latch from the pressore of the spring, when it will fall out of the slot and the spring will cease to operate. The end of the latch is also beveled, as .at h, so that the rotation of the capstan will release it from the slots should its gravity become impaired by rust or other cause.

The hinge will operate without the loose collar E; but it is preferable to use it.

It will also be observedthat the latchmay be pivoted on either the door-leaf or jambleaf. I

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified construction of locking-latch, in which a spring-latch, H, is employed,which tends constantly to press forward into the slots of the capstan. I prefer the construction first described; but both may be advantageously used.

' Bythe construction above describedl produce a very efficient hinge, possessing the advantages above named, and one which is very cheap and simple, and which can readily be applied to doors.

Having described my invention,what I claim is- The combination of the two leaves, the pintle, the spring, the latch having the outwardly:

inclined face and beveled end, and the capstan with slots having correspondingly-inclined wall, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' CHARLES B. CLARK. Witnesses:

E. J. CLARK,

CHAS. FLowERs. 

